Senate president Don Williams notes that the repeal would not affect the 11 men already on death row. He expects the bill to pass, but he knows that the vote could be close.

“In order to pass we need at least 18 votes,” Williams told WCBS 880’s Fran Schneidau. “That would be an 18 to 18 tie, and the lieutenant governor has indicated that she would vote to break that tie in favor of repeal.”

However, sentiment for keeping the penalty on the books remains strong, and a recent Quinnipiac poll found that more than half of those queried were not in favor of repeal.

The debate was expected to start at noon and is expected to last until past midnight. If the bill is passed, it will then go to the House of Representatives.

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